Braiding machine



1929- o. A. FREIDERICKSON 1,725,450

7 BRAIDING MACHINE" Filed Feb. 25, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 BRAIDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1928 N EN n RN 0. A. FREDERICKSON gi /6g??? Aug. 20, 1929.

R O M w N TORNEY 2 929. o. A.' FREDERICKSON 1,725,450

BRAIDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet s 4o 46 44 32 as O I V V 2a I ATTORNEY g- 1929. o. A. FREDERICKSON 1,725,450

BRAIDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 23, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /NI/ENTO R @Zz Qjyimp BY I ATTORNEY,

Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

'oriro A. rnnnnnrokson, or wE'rnnnsriE-Li), comvsorrcor, Assreiro'n TO THE WIRE- MOLD COMPANY, or HARTFORD, oomvncrrcer, A CORPORATION or CONNECTICUT.

BRAIDING MACHINE.

Application filed February This invention relates to braiding machines and more particularly to driving mechanism for the inner yarn carriers.

In braiding machines as commonly constructed heretofore, the inner carriers have been driven about the axis of the machine by driving rollers which engage driven roll ers mounted upon the inner yarn carriers, and it has been customary to position the driving rollers well below the axis of the driven rollers to facilitate the passage of the yarn between these rollers. The inner yarn carriers pass alternately over and under the strands or yarn extending inwardly from the outer yarn carriers to the braiding point, and reciprocating arms have been commonly employed heretofore to raise and lower the outer strands of yarn to facilitate passage of the inner yarn carriers over and under the outer strands of yarn.

The location of the driving rollers below the axis of the driven rollers is open to the objection that the driving roller exerts an upward push or lifting force upon the inner carrier rather than a direct forward push, and results in a substantial loss in power and increases the friction upon the bearings for supporting the outer end of the inner yarn carrier.

The present invention therefore relates to a braiding machine in which the driving rollers for the inner yarn carriers are located directly behind the driven rollers so that they exert a direct forward push upon the inner carriers. As a result of this construction the inner carriers are much easier to start and drive, and the friction upon the bearings for supporting the outer end of the carriers is materially reduced. due to the elimination of the lifting action of the driving rollers upon the inner carriers.

Another feature of the present invention resides novel means for raising and lowering the strands of yarn which are led from the outer yarn carriers to the braiding point so that inner carriers will pass alternately over and under the yarn.

The means of the present invention for raising and lowering the outer strands of yarn resides in fixed outer deflectors and cooperating traveling deflectors which are mounted upon the inner yarn carriers. The construction is such that each outer strand of yarn is held in an elevated position by s! fixed deflector until it reache a d wn 2'3, 1928. Serial No. 256,162.

wardly inclined portion of the fixed delfcctor, whereupon the strand of yarn is forced downwardly under the inner carrier by the traveling deflector. The fixed deflector is also so constructed that it serves to direct the outer y'arn upwardly into the bite between the driving and driven rollers.

A further feature of the present invention resides in the construction of the fixed and traveling deflectors whereby they cooperate to deflect or tension an intermediate portion of the yarn extending between the source of supply and braiding point, to maintain the length of yarn between these two points con stant, and the deflectors act also to keep the yarn taut.

Vhen the braiding machine is operated at high speed objectionable vibrations are set up in the outer strands of yarn stretched from the outer yarn guides to the braiding point, and if these vibrations become excessive they interfere withthe proper operation of the braiding machine and may cause the outer strands to pass to the wrong side of the inner carriers, thus producing a defeet in the braid. The cooperating deflectors of the present invention serve not only to keep the outer strands of yarn taut, but serve also to preventthese strands from vibrating appreciably. This is accomplished by so constructing and operating the deflectors that the outer strands of yarn are at all times engaged .by at least one deflector which serves to deaden the yarn vibrations.

It is desirable to positively rotate the driven and driving rollers about their respective axes to thereby facilitate the passage of the yarn between the bite of these rollers and another feature of the present invention resides in means for positively rotating the driving rollers. This is accomplished in accordance with the present invention by providing each driving roller with a projecting portion adapted to roll along an annular track formed at the inner face of the outer revolving drum.

Still another feature of the present invention resides in means for supporting the driving rollers for vertical movement towards and from the track with which these rollers cooperate and in yielding means for holding the rollers in driving engagement with the track.

The above and other features of the invention and nov c mb nation o pa ts will be hereinafter described in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a good practical form of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a braiding machine constructed in accordance with the present invention, parts of the machine be ing broken away;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the braiding machine of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the braiding machine, part of the outer revolving drum being broken away;

Fig. 4 is an end view of an inner yarn carrier and driving means therefor, the view being taken substantially on the line l-: of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic side view of the braiding machine and illustrates the manner in which the fixed and moving deflectors cooperate to raise and lower the outer strands of yarn;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic view showing the position of the deflectors at the instant the outer strand of yarn starts to move downwardly.

Fig. 7 is a similar view, but shows the relation of the parts at the instant the outer strand of yarn has reached the central plane on its downward stroke;

Fig. 8 is a similar View but shows the relation of the parts when the outer strand of yarn has reached its lowermost position; and

Fig. 9 is a similar view but shows the relation of the parts at the instant the outer strand of yarn has reached the central plane on its upward movement.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings the operating parts of the braiding machine are mounted upon a fixed frame 10 which may be supported at the desired height from the floor by legs, not shown.

The frame 10 is provided with a central hub 11 which is connected to the outer por tion of the frame by spokes or flanges 12. Within the central hub 11 is mounted a hollow central shaft 1?) which may be rigidly secured within the hub by a set screw as shown in Fig. 2. Upon the fixed hollow shaft 13 is journaled a sleeve or shaft 14:. Within the annular supporting frame 10 is mounted the outer revolving drum 15 the central hub 16 of which is journaled upon the sleeve 14, and the hub 16 is secured to the outer portion of the drum 15 by horizontally disposed spokes or flanges 17.

At the upper end of the hollow post 13 is mounted the fixed disk 18 which is adapted to support the inner ends of the inner yarn carriers. To the upper portion of the rotating sleeve 14 is secured the driving disk 19 which is adapted to support and advance the driving rollers about the axis of the braiding machine. In the construction shown the hollow sleeve 14 and driving disk 19 secured thereto are rotated in one direction by the lower beveled gear 20, and the outer revolving drum 15 is rotated in the opposite direction by the upper beveled gear 21 these two gears being driven by the beveled pinion 22 in a well known manner. At the upper end of the outer revolving drum 15 is provided a ring 28 upon which is mounted the brackets 24 adapted to support the outer yarn masses 25.

The mechanism so far described is for the most part well known and forms no essential, part of the present invention, but has been shown and briefly described to make clear the construction and operation of the novel features which will now be described.

Each inner carrier, in the construction shown, consists of a hollow frame 26 adapted to support the inner yarn mass 27 and at the inner end of each frame 26 is provided a roller 28 adapted to rest upon the beveled face 29 of the fixed disk 18. The outer end of each inner yarn carrier, in the construction. shown, is supported by providing the sliding shoes 30 at the outer end of the frame 27 and which are adapted to slide in the slot 31 formed in the inner face of the outer revolving drum 15. Each inner yarn carrier is provided near its outer end with a driven roller 32 which rotatably secured to the frame 26 by a central shaft 33. Each inner carrier is retained in its operative position by an apron 3a which extends downwardly from the ring 23 into engagement with a shoulder 35 formed upon the upper portion of each inner yarn carrier.

As above pointed out one of the novel features of the present invention resides in a driving roller which is located directly behind the driven roller that it will exert a direct forward. thrust upon the inner yarn carrier to propel the carrier about the braiding point. in the construction shown this location of the driving roller is secured by providing the driving disk 19 with a bracket 36 having an upwardly extending portion 37 adapted to support a dr ving roller 38 which is rotatably secured to tne p 37 by the pivot pin The axes of the r iers 32 and 38 are disposed in the same horizontal plane or in approximately the same horizontal plane so that the entire or 31 QilCllly the entire thrust exerted upon the inner yarn carrier by the driving roller 38 will serve to push the carrier forward without exerting a substantial lifting force upon the inner carrier, as has been customary in constructions einployed heretofore.

The arrangement of the driving roller 88 directly behind the driven roller 32 mate rially reduces the power required to drive the inner carriers, but on the other hand it makes it necessary to lift the outer strands of yarn quickly as the inner carrier passes over the same in order to bring such strands of yarn upwardly between the bite of the cooperating rollers. This quick lifting of the outer strand of yarn is secured by the construction of the fixed outer deflector to be described.

Each outer strand of yarn 40, in the construction shown, is led from a yarn mass 25 over the guide bar 41 and downwardly through a notch 42 in the upper ring 23 and then to a guide eye 43 which is secured to a thread guiding arm 44 that projects out wardly from the outer revolving drum 15. The strand 40 extends from the guide eye 43 secured to one arm 44 to a notch 45 formed at the outer end of another guide arm 44, and then inwardly from this notch through a vertical slot 46 formed in the outer revolving drum and passes inwardly from this slot to the braiding point formed at the lower end of the braiding sleeve or die 47. This die, in the construction shown, is supported by a bridge bar 48 which extends across the outer revolving drum 15 and has its opposite ends secured to this drum, the construction being such that the bridge bar 48 and sleeve 47 will rotate with the drum 15.

The fixed deflector 49 is secured to the frame 10 to extend upwardly therefrom and as shown consists of an annular upstanding ring or flange that is adapted to normally hold the outer strands of yarn 40 elevated so that the inner yarn carriers are free to pass under these strands of yarn, and to this end the upper edge of the deflector 49 extends upwardly a slight distance above the upper edge of the inner deflectors 50 that are secured to the outer ends of the inner yarn carriers. As a result of the construction ust described the outer strands of yarn 40 will be held in an elevated position as Shown in Fig. 2 'until a strand reaches a valley or depression 51 formed in the fixed deflector whereupon the tension of the strand will cause it to move downwardly into the valley 51 sufliciently to be engaged by the lower curved face 52 of the traveling deflector 50, and such deflector will serve to force the strand of yarn downwardly along the edge of the depression 51 under the inner yarn carrier.

The operation of the deflectors 49 and 50 will be best understood from Fig. 5 wherein it will be seen that the deflectors 50 of the inner yarn carriers at the righ and left-hand sides ofthis figure are acting upon the yarns 40 to force them downwardly under the inner yarn carriers. As soon as the yarn carrier shown at the left-hand side of Fig. 5 passes over the yarn 40, this yarn will be directed upwardly by the inclined wall 53 of the fixed deflector to travel along the rela tively long raised portion of the fixed deflector 49. It will be apparent that while pass under this raised strand, and in this h manner the inner yarn carriers are caused to pass alternately over and under the outer strands of yarn.

The fixed and movable deflectors just described serve not only to raise and lower the strands of yarn 40 but serve also to maintain each of these strands of yarn under constant tension as the yarn passes up or down between the inner yarn carriers. The construction whereby this constant tension is secured is important because as the strand of yarn 40 moves downwardly from the uppermost position in which it is shown in Fig. 2 to the intermediate position indicated by the broken line aa of Fig. 5 to Fig. 9 in elusive the tension of the thread will decrease unless means is provided to prevent this, and if the thread is permitted to become slack the position of the same cannot be controlled and it will fail to pass under the inner carrier properly. It has been proposed heretofore to employ a light spring or weighter lever to take up the slack in the outer strand of yarn, but if the braiding machine is operating at high speed these tension devices will not operate quickly enough to maintain the desired tension upon the strands. By employing the mechanism of the present invention the use of the springs or weighted takeup devices just mentioned is made unnecessary and the outer strands of yarn 40 are maintained taut throughout the braiding operation by 0011- structing the deflectors 49 and 50 so that the strand engaging edges of these deflectors are disposed in overlapping relation to each other when the strand. they engage reaches the intermediate position indicated by the line a-a. As a result of this construction an intermediate portion of the yarn 40 is displaced by the deflectors sufficiently to take up the slack, as will be apparent from an inspection of Figs. 7 and 9.

The relative position of the yarn engaging edge 52 of the movable deflector and the p yarn engaging edge 51 of the fixed deflector and the extent to which these edges overlap as the yarn moves downwardly from its upper to its lowermost position and then upwardly between the bite of the driven and driving rollers will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. 6 to Fig. 9 inclusive. It will be noted that as soon as the yarn 40 reaches the lowermost position in which it is shown in Fig. 8 it will be quickly forced upwardly to the bite of the rollers by the stee ly inclined curved portion 53 of the outer deflector and by the rotating roller 32, the construction being such that the portion 53 of the deflector forces the yarn 40 against the roller 32 to cause the roller to lift the yarn. As the strand of yarn passes upwardly from the bite of the cooperating rollers it will travel along the inclined portion 5 1 of the fixed deflector to the straight upper edge of this deflector where it will be held sufhciently elevated to clear the upper edge of the approaching deflector 50, as above pointed out.

It is found that when the outer strands of yarns are raised. and lowered by the cooperating deflectors 49 and 50, as above pointed out, the action of such strands of yarns can be better controlled than in braiding machines employing a reciprocating arm to raise and lower the yarn. This is due to the fact that when a strand of yarn is stretched between the reciprocating arm and braiding point it tends to vibrate, which is objectionable, but such vibration is prevented in ac' cordance with the present invention by holding the yarn at all times in engagement with an edge of one of the deflectors. Furthermore, by properly shaping the yarn engaging edges of the deflectors 4:9 and 50 so that they will displace an intermediate portion of a strand of yarn just enough to keep the length of the yarn between the notch 45 and braiding point constant, no slack will occur in the yarn as it crosses the center line aa. The elimination of this slack makes the yarn easy to control and causes it to be carried upwardly rollers 32 and 38 by the guide 53 and roller 32.

It is important that the cooperating rollers 32 and 38 for each inner carrier be positively driven at a speed which is properly correlated to the speed at which the inner carriers are advanced around the braiding point, because if these rollers are not rotated at the proper speed the yarn will not pass smoothly between the bite of the rollers. Another feature of the present invention therefore resides in means for rotating the driving roller 38 at the proper speed about its supporting axis. The positive rotation of this roller is secured, in the construction shown, by providing the outer revolving drum 15 with an inwardly projecting rib 55 the under face of which is constructed to form a'track 56 adapted to engage the outer end portion of the roller 38. The construction is such that as the rollers 38 are advanced around the axis of the braiding machine by the driving disk 19 they will roll against the track 56 and this will rotate these rollers at the proper speed. In the construction shown each roller supporting bracket 36 is pivotally secured to its driving disk 19 by a pivot pin 57, and a spring 58 confined between the driving disk 19 and the bracket 36 serves to force this bracket upwardly to thereby hold the driving roller 38 upon said bracket in frictional engagement with the quickly to the bite of the track 56. This construction whereby the driving roller 38 is yieldingly held against the bracket 56 serves not only to positively rotate the roller 38 but also to steady the operation of the driving disk 19 and the outer revolving drum 15 to thereby reduce the chatter or vibration of these parts.

As the outer strands of yarn 40 and in ner strands of yarn 60 from the inner yarn carriers reach the braiding point they will form a braid 61 which is formed about the conductor 62 as the latter passes upwardly through the hollow central shaft 13.

A braiding machine constructed in accordance with the present invention employs a relativelyfew moving parts none of which reciprocates and is therefore well adapted to operate smoothly at high speed. Furthermore, since the driving rollers are disposed directly back of the axis of the driven rollers the braiding machine is easy to drive and will start quickly without exerting an objectionable lifting force upon the outer ends of the inner carriers.

What is claimed is 1. In a braiding machine, in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, driven rollers upon the inner yarn carriers, driving rollers for the inner yarn carriers and supported in the horizontal plane of the axes of said driven rollers to rotate the driven rollers and push the carriers forward, and stationary deflectors each formed with a yarn re ceiving depression having a curved lower guiding edge for holding a depressed strand of yarn against the lower face of a driven roller and a steep guiding edge for maintaining the strand against the driven roller to cause the latter roller to carry the yarn upwardly into the bite of the cooperating rollers.

2. In a braiding machine, in combination, inner and outer'yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, driven rollers upon the inner yarn carriers, driving rollers for the inner yarn carriers and positioned to exert a direct forward thrust upon said driven rollers to push the carriers forward, and stationary deflectors constructed to hold the outer strands of yarn in engagement with the driven rollers as the inner carriers pass over these strands and adapted to direct the outer strands of yarn upward into the bite between the driven and driving rollers.

3. In a braiding machine, in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, means for supporting the inner yarn carriers so that their axes lie in a horizontal plane, driven rollers upon the inner carriers, driving rollers for the inner yarn carriers and positioned behind the driven rollers in approximately the horizontal plane of the axes of said driven rollers to push the carriers forward, and stationary deflectors each provided with a yarn receiving depression having a curved lower guiding edge and a steep guiding edge 'for holding a depressed strand of yarn against a driven roller as it is moved upwardly into the bite between the rollers.

I. In a braiding machine, in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, driven rollers upon the inner yarn carriers, driving rollers for nner carriers and positioned behind the tillwjll rollers to push the inner carriers iiorward, a deflector upon each inner carrier for forcing the outer yarn down under the inner carrier, stationary deflectors each having a steep inclination for moving the outer yarn into the bite between the driven and drivin rollers, and each inner carrier having the rear end of its deflector rounded off to clear the yarn as it reaches the bite between the rollers.

53. In a braiding machine in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, cooperating rollers for driving the inner carriers, stationary outer deflectors, and traveling deflectors constructed to cooperate with the outer de- "t the yarn under and over the inner carriers and operable also to deflect an intermediate portion of the yarn about the edges of the cooperating deflectors to cause the length of yarn between the source of supply and braiding point to rem: practically constant and taut, and each stationary dellec n being also constructed to guide a depressed strand of yarn upwardly into the bite of the cooperating rollers.

(3. In a braiding machine, in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, driven rollers upon the inner yarn carriers, driving rollers for the inner carriers positioned to push the inner carriers forward, stationary outer deflectors, and traveling deflectors constructed to cooperate with the stationary deflectors to deflect an intermediate portion of the yarn ii-outwardly as it passes between the carriers so that the iength of yarn between the source of supply and braiding point will remain practically constant and taut, and each stationery deflector being also constructed to guide a depressed strand of yarn upwardly into the bite of the cooperating rollers.

7. In a. braiding machine in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, driven rollers upon the inner carriers, driving rollers for the inner yarn carriers and positioned behind the driven rollers in approximately the horizontal plane of the axis of said driven rollers to push the carriers forward and rot-ate the driven rollers, stationary deflectors having a steep rise constructed and arranged to force a depressed strand of yarn upwardly and at the same, time hold it against the driven roller to cause the latter to help move the yarn upwardly between the nip of the rollers, and cooperating traveling deflectors constructed to direct the yarn under the inner carriers,

8. In a braiding machine, in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, driven rollers upon the inner yarn carriers, driving rollers for the inner carriers and positioned in the horizontal plane of the axes of said driven rollers to push the carriers forward, power driven means for rotating each driving roller about its own axis to cause the driving rollers to rotate the driven rollers, and cooperating lixed and traveling deflectors for directing the yarn over and under the inner carriers and each fixed deflector having a steep rise adapted'to hold the. depressed strand of yarn against a driven roller while directing it upwardly into the nip of the driving and driven rollers.

J. In a braiding machine, in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, driven rollers upon the inner yarn carriers, driving rollers for the inner yarn carriers and supported so that the upper portion of each driving roller lies above the horizontal plane of the axis of said driven rollers, and stationary deflectors each having a concave portion and a steep rise adapted to hold the depressed strand of yarn against a driven roller while directing it upwardly into the nip of the driving and driven rollers.

4 10. In a braiding machine, in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, driven rollers upon the inner yarn carriers, driving rollers for .the inner yarn carriers and supported so that the upper portion of each driving roller lies above the horizontalplane of the axis of said. driven rollers, deflectors mounted on the inner carriers for under the inner carriers, and stationary dellectors each having a steep rise adaptedto hold the depressed strand of yarn against a driven roller while directing it upwardly into the bite of the rollers to cause the strand to pass over the driving roller.

11. In a braiding machine, in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, driven rollers upon the inner yarn carriers, driving rollers for the inner yarn carriers and supported so that the upper portion of each driving roller lies above the horizontal plane of the axis of said driven rollers, stationary deflectors having a steep rise constructed and arranged to hold the depressed strand of yarn against a driven roller while directing it upwardly into the bite between the rollers, and deflectors mounted upon the inner carriers and constructed to cooperate wit-h the directing the yarn.

Ill)

stationary deflectors to hold the yarn taut as it passes between the carriers.

12. In a braiding machine, in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, driven rollers upon the inner yarn carriers, driving rollers for the inner yarn carriers and supported so that theupper portion of each driving roller lies above the horizontal plane of the axis of said driven rollers, power driven means for rotating each driving roller about its own axis to cause the driving rollers to rotate the driven rollers, and cooperating deflectors for directing the yarn over and under the inner carriers and each deflector of one set being provided with a concave portion and a steep rise adapted to hold the depressed strand of yarn against the driven roller while directing it upwardly into the nip of the driving and driven rollers.

13. In a braiding machine, in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, driven rollers upon the inner yarn carriers, driving rollers for the inner yarn carriers and having their axes supported in approximately the same horizontal plane as the axes of the driven rollers, an annular track for rotating each driving roller about its own axis and supported above the axes of the driven rollers, each driving roller being provided with a portion adapted to roll against the track to rotate its roller, a yielding support for each driving roller and provided with spring means for yieldingly holding said portion in rolling contact with the track, and means for directing the yarn over and under the inner carriers.

14. In a braiding machine, in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, driven rollers upon the inner yarn carriers, driving rollers for the inner yarn carriers supported back of the driven rollers to exert a forward thrust upon the latter, an annular track supported above the axes of the driven rollers to rotate each driving roller about its own axis, a portion upon each driving roller.

adapted to engage the track to rotate the roller, spring means acting upwardly on the driving rollers to yieldingly hold the track engaging portion of each roller in rolling engagement with the track, and means for directing the yarn over and under the inner carriers.

15. In a braiding machine, in combination, an outer revolving drum, inner and outer yarn carriers, driven rollers upon the inner yarn carriers, driving rollers for the inner yarn carriers, an annular track upon said revolving drum, a portion upon each driving roller adapted to engage the track to rotate the roller, a rotating disk for advancing the driving rollers about the axis of the braiding machine, bearing brackets pivotally mounted on said disk and adapted to rotatably support the driving rollers, spring means acting upon said brackets to hold said track engaging portion of each roller in yielding contact with the track, and means for directing the yarn over and under the inner carriers.

16. In a braiding machine, in combination, inner and outer yarn carriers mounted to travel in opposite directions, driven rollers upon the inner yarn carriers, diving rollers for the inner yarn carriers and having their axes supported in approximately the same horizontal plane as the axes of the driven rollers, an annular track for rotating the driving roller about their own axes and supported above the axes of the driven.

rollers, a portion upon each driving roller adapted to engage the track and roll thereagainst to rotate the rollers, means for advancing the driving rollers about the axis of the braiding machine, and means for directing the yarn over and under the inner carriers.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

OTTO A. FREDERICKSON. 

